Britain starts 2015 on top of the world

British equestrianism is celebrating a positive start to 2015, as British riders top the world leader boards in all three Olympic disciplines.

Charlotte Dujardin, Scott Brash and William Fox-Pitt have all kicked off the new year remaining number one in their sports.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for each of the athletes concerned and they are to be congratulated for the consistency they have shown at the top of their game — proof if it ever be needed of their hard work, talent and determination to succeed,” Gordon Burton, British Equestrian Federation (BEF) performance director, told H&H.

“Scott, Charlotte and William are each superb role models and provide an inspiration to our up and coming riders of the future. We are sure that the status of our top athletes will instill belief in our teams as we continue to work towards 2015 European championships and Rio beyond.”

Charlotte Dujardin experienced a fantastic 2014 — setting two new world records at Olympia and securing individual gold and team silver at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy.

Her star also shone outside of the sport — she was also named

BT Sport action

woman of the year

and Sky Sports/Sunday Times sportswoman of the year. The 29-year-old also became the first dressage rider to be shortlisted for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. She finished fourth, receiving 12.2% of the public vote.

In showjumping Scott Brash has remained at the top of the Longines showjumping world rankings for 13 months.

In November he became the first showjumper since 2006 to hold the world number one spot a year.

Scott’s big wins in the past year included a hat-trick of Global Champions Tour

grands prix in London, Cannes and Estoril; the five-star grand prix in Wellington, Florida, in March — all on his top ride Hello Sanctos — and the Longines Speed Challenge at the Gucci Masters in Paris with Bon Ami.

He also retained his title as the Longines Global Champion Tour winner for the second year in a row in November.

And in eventing William Fox-Pitt finished 2014 as world number one — leading by

more than 80 points to Kiwi rider Jonelle Price.

As well as winning the CCI2* at Osberton with Fernhill Pimms, he was second with Freddie Mac at Blenheim, third with Parklane Hawk and Burghley and took individual bronze at WEG with Chilli Morning.

For more on great Brits don’t miss H&H’s “Best of British” issue (8 January) — out now.

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